After a somewhat light (but fantastic) summer for video games, more notable releases began to appear in August 2022. Unfortunately, none of them were huge successes, as games like row of saints, Madden NFL 23Y soul hackers 2 They were critical disappointments. Despite that, there were still some great games coming out this month if you knew where to look.
From quirky indies that blended Animal Crossing with a death cult to a groundbreaking full-motion video game, indies shined this month. If you’re wondering what you should play before the rush of notable titles coming this fall and don’t want to see August’s lackluster AAA games, give these six games a try.
cult of the lamb
Few games feel more like Returning Digital than cult of the lamb. On the surface, this may seem like a basic social simulation game, like Animal Crossing, starring cute animals. It’s also actually a bloody roguelike about the formation and running of a cult that worships an evil deity. During the roguelike segments, players attempt to defeat other gods, gathering resources along the way. They then go back to their cult and build it up, build new facilities and keep their followers happy and worshipping.
“cult of the lamb explore that balancing act through a darkly comedic premise straight out of the golden age of the Newgrounds company,” Giovanni Colantonio’s three-and-a-half-star review of the game explains. “It’s a terrifyingly addictive management game that revels in its religious masquerade as cultists capering around a bonfire.”
cult of the lamb The aesthetic, which ranges from cute to terrifying, screams “memorable indie game”, and lives up to that idea. Whether you’re into management games, roguelikes, or just cult stories, it’s worth checking out. Currently, cult of the lamb is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Immortality
Be aware elden ring, there’s another game of the year contender on the scene. Barely making it to this month’s list on August 30, Immortality is an FMV title that tries to discover the fate of actress Marissa Marcel, who starred in three unreleased movies. Players look through on-set encounters and behind-the-scenes footage to find out what happened to Marcel, using a clever cut-to-match mechanic to jump between scenes. kinematically, Immorality it’s on another level.
“Immortality is an amazing work of interactive media, one that fully realizes the potential of [creator Sam] Barlow’s signature full-motion video (FMV) style,” Colantonio wrote in his four-and-a-half-star review of Immorality. “It explores our complex, and perhaps unhealthy, fascination with art, while also offering a level of craftsmanship that is light years beyond what any other game has tried to achieve.”
FMV games often carry the stigma of feeling amateurish and low budget, but with His story, telling liesand now Immortality, Barlow has consistently pushed this style of play. If you like movies or games that push the boundaries of storytelling, Immorality It is a compulsory game.
Immorality is available for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X through Xbox Game Pass. It will come to iOS and Android through Netflix Games.
Skating
Roll7 is the master at creating games that feel great to play. It already entered our list of the best games of February 2022 with the spectacular OlliOlli World, but Roll7 had another game up its sleeve this year. The title in question is Skating, a game that combines skating and shooting to create an experience that isn’t like much else. Combine that with its intriguing dystopian bloodsport premise and colorful art style, and Rollerdrome is a distinct game that you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
“Skating simultaneously captures that frenetic energy of a firefight in max payne and the satisfying vibes of a skill-based skating game like skate 3 either Tony Hawk 1+2 Pro Skater, and that’s a unique combination you won’t find anywhere else,” Tomas Franzese wrote in a preview of the game. “With SkatingRoll7 continues to prove that it creates some of the best feeling games on the market.”
For those who believe that gameplay trumps everything else in video games, Skating offers some of the purest fun you can have this month. Currently, Skating It is available for PC, PS4 and PS5. If you have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, you can try out the game with a 35-minute trial before deciding whether to purchase the full game.
I was a teenage exocolonist
Fans of narrative games with intriguing political messages will want to take a look I was a teenage exocolonist. As the title clearly suggests, the game puts players in the shoes of a boy growing up on an alien planet between the ages of 10 and 20. Over time, players will be able to shape their character’s personality, traits, and even political views as they learn. more about what happened to Earth and what these former colonists are doing on a new planet. Throw in some light exploration and deckbuilding mechanics, and you have a distinct narrative RPG experience.
“I was a teenage exocolonist it is not intended to reinforce the player’s own beliefs with obvious anti-capitalist critique,” Colantonio wrote of the game. “Instead, it focuses on exploring how a political landscape shapes a boy in his most malleable years. All of that is achieved through well-thought-out roleplaying and deck-building systems that reflect how kids take in every little detail around them, even when we think they’re not paying attention.”
If it’s not already clear, smart indie games dominated August, and I was a teenage exocolonist is one worth checking out for fans of RPGs, narrative games, and deckbuilders. I was a teenage exocolonist It is available now for PC, PS4, PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
two point campus
For fans of simulation and business building games, few are doing better than Two Point Studios and Sega. A few years ago, the duo impressed with two point hospitaland this month they followed up with a college-themed simulation game called two point campus. As the name suggests, players can build and customize university campuses, set the curriculum, and hire staff to manage them.
Although that may sound a bit dry, thankfully it’s not due to its unmistakable British humour. The radio station playing in the background on campus is constantly throwing out funny jokes. These colleges also do not host the typical boring college algebra and business 101 classes. Instead, students will participate in courses like Knight School and Spy School, giving two point campus a fun visual style.
Whether you’re here for the quirky British humor or the impressively detailed yet easy-to-learn simulation and construction mechanics, two point campus it’s worth your time. a game like two point campus It is best played on PC, but the game is also available for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s even on Xbox Game Pass, so give it a try through that subscription service if you’re curious.
Joyride 2 Jetpack
While it’s been a light year for Apple Arcade when it comes to selling subscription hits, Joyride 2 Jetpack is one of the best games that has come to the Apple service since its launch. The exclusive is a sequel to a beloved mobile infinity runner where players dodge obstacles while moving forward with a jetpack. Joyride 2 Jetpack retains some of the same fundamentals, but within a very different framework.
Instead of letting players set high scores in endless runs, the sequel is level-based. Players must reach the end of different 2D levels while dodging obstacles and shooting robots in their way. It’s a bit more of a classic shoot-’em-up than the previous game. On top of that, the sequel has several progression hooks, allowing players to upgrade weapons, mine for resources, and complete challenges. It’s a more digestible version of the game that removes microtransactions and replaces them with a smart in-game economy.
Joyride 2 Jetpack is one of the best mobile games of this year, so if you have Apple Arcade, download it. While you can get the initial content in a few hours, a new update is planned for September. — giovanni colantonio
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